ONE CHAMPIONSHIP: Ben Ulis falls to Pechtanong Pechfergus in three-round clash, Tang Kai finishes Shamil Gasanov | WWE news

Ben “The Problem” Ulis may have tasted defeat at One Fight Night 43, but he proved beyond doubt that he is one of kickboxing’s elite.

The 32-year-old Grimsby striker pummeled former ONE bantamweight kickboxing world champion Pechtanong Pechfergus and knocked out one of the division’s most decorated veterans in a competitive unanimous decision in the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 43, which aired live on Luangko Sports’ Sky Hours in the early hours of Saturday. stadium

For a man who has battled Crohn’s disease for more than a decade – at one point, he couldn’t last 15 seconds on the pads without collapsing – going three full rounds with the former ONE Championship titleholder represented another remarkable feat.

But Pechtanong made him work for every second of the battle.

The opening round saw the Englishman adopt a calculated approach, as he went ahead and picked off the Thai veteran. Ulis changed his stance repeatedly, keeping the Thai guessing while punching and prodding for openings. Pechtanong was composed, kicking long to control the range.

The pace picked up in the second round, as Pechtanong went ahead with combinations punctuated by kicks. Meanwhile, the Brit continues to cut corners brilliantly while throwing punches and he adds distinctive kicks to the head and body.

Then, in the final minute of the second frame, Pechtanong went on the offensive with his shots and put the Grimsby native on the back foot. The Thai even set a trap – he deliberately left his main leg exposed, and when the “problem” attacked it, the 40-year-old was waiting. His counter kick hits Ulis’s standing leg, his knee locking momentarily.

When they engaged at close range, the Pechtanong exchange flourished. The Thai’s left hands keep Ulis’s head back, his kicks continue to find their target and he avoids most of the Briton’s attacks.

By the latter half of the frame, “Trouble” turns up the heat and the veteran feels comfortable walking away. Ulis didn’t give him time to rest, deciding to throw everything at Athim in the final seconds of the bantamweight kickboxing match, including a wild spinning backfist and a desperate flurry.

In the end, the judges were unanimous in awarding Pechtanong the decision, which took his career record to 360-57.

For Ulis, it marked his first ONE Championship loss, just two months after stopping former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion John Lineker with a leg kick in the first round.

Although the Grimsby star fell on the wrong side of a decision, he proved to the world that he belongs with the sport’s top talent and can be a real “problem” for the best in the bantamweight kickboxing division.

Tang Kai dominates Shamil Gasanov, retains featherweight belt

In the main event, China’s Tang Kai enjoyed a commanding performance, as he finished off Russian rival Shamil “The Cobra” Gasanov to retain the ONE featherweight MMA world title.

Gasanov, a nearly flawless competitor known for his strong Dagestani wrestling and submission skills, was determined to get the reigning champion down to the canvas and work his grappling magic.

However, Tang stuffed almost every single of “The Cobra’s” takedown attempts and forced him to fight on the feet, where the Chinese title holder was on a decisive edge.

The 30-year-old Shawang local punched and kicked Gasanov throughout the contest, gradually wearing him down until his body could take no more.

It all came to a conclusion in the fourth round, where Tang’s low kicks were too much for the Russian to handle. Halfway through the frame, another crushing kick to the lead leg sent Gasanov crashing to the canvas and a couple of hammer blows ended the contest.

With the victory, Tang – China’s first male MMA world champion – retained his belt and showed everyone that he is more dangerous than ever.

One Fight Night 43 – Full Results

– One Featherweight MMA World Championship: Tang Kai (c) defeated Shamil Gasanov via TKO (ground and pound) at 2:41 of round four

– Bantamweight Kickboxing: Pechtanong Pechfergus defeated Ben Ulis by unanimous decision

– Bantamweight Submission Grappling: Diogo Reyes defeated Yuki Takahashi via unanimous decision

– Flyweight Muay Thai: Aslamjon Ortykov defeated Jordan Estupinan by TKO (three knockdowns) at 2:06 of the second round

– Strawweight MMA: Fabio Henrique defeated Yosuke Saruta via TKO (ground and pound) at 0:39 of the second round

– Bantamweight Muay Thai: Nontachai Jitmuangnon defeated Felipe Lobo via unanimous decision

– Bantamweight MMA: Lito Adiwang defeated Echo Ronnie Saputra via TKO (punch) at 0:34 of the first round

– Featherweight Kickboxing: Luo Chao defeated Dennis Souza Jr. by split decision

– Atomweight Muay Thai: Martina Dominczak defeated Johanna Persson via unanimous decision

Watch ONE Championship live on Sky Sports. Didn’t get the sky? Get Sky Sports or Stream with NOW.